The PlayStation Portal OLED Just Got a $50 Price Hike (And It’s Selling Like Hotcakes)
Sony’s handheld gaming companion, the PlayStation Portal, has just undergone a seismic shift in its lifecycle. According to the ever-reliable leaker Kepler_L2 from Tech Insider, the OLED version of the Portal is now confirmed for a 2026 launch—and Sony’s already sold 2 million units since its debut. But here’s the kicker: the price tag is jumping by $50, a move that’s either a sign of confidence or a desperate play to capitalize on demand before the next-gen handheld rumors spiral even further out of control.
What’s confirmed vs. rumor? We break it down in the table below:
| Spec/Feature | Confirmed | Rumored |
|------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| OLED Display | 8-inch OLED panel (higher contrast) | 120Hz refresh rate (TBD) |
| Price Increase | $50 bump (exact new price: $249.99) | Bundled with PS5 controller upgrade |
| Launch Window | 2026 | Holiday 2026 |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours (unchanged) | Qi wireless charging (unlikely) |
The Portal OLED’s success isn’t just about specs—it’s about Sony leaning into handheld gaming as the PS5 continues to dominate the living room. The $50 price hike might sting for some, but with 2 million units already sold, Sony’s betting that players will pay a premium for that buttery-smooth OLED experience.
But here’s the question: Is this a temporary markup for the holiday rush, or a sign of things to come as Sony phases out the original Portal model? Only time will tell.
Marvel’s Wolverine Devs Hit Back at Backlash: "We’re Not Backing Down"
Insomniac Games is no stranger to controversy, but the backlash surrounding Marvel’s Wolverine has reached a fever pitch. The game, set to drop on September 15, is one of the most anticipated PS5 exclusives of the year—yet a vocal minority on X (formerly Twitter) is actively discouraging pre-orders, calling it a "PlayStation propaganda stunt."
A dev team insider, speaking to Notebookcheck, admitted the criticism has been disturbing:
"We knew there would be haters. But the intensity of the backlash—people telling fans not to pre-order, calling it a ‘bait-and-switch’—it’s frustrating. This game has been years in the making. We’re not backing down."
The criticism isn’t just noise—it’s part of a larger NFT and microtransaction backlash that’s haunted Insomniac since the Spider-Man: Miles Morales days. But Wolverine’s gameplay reveals (like the recent E3 demo) suggest a brutal, cinematic combat system that could silence even the harshest critics.
Will the backlash hurt sales? Probably not—Wolverine is still expected to be a blockbuster launch, but the early vitriol shows how toxic gaming discourse has become.
Spyro the Dragon Is Now Playable on PC—At 240 FPS
In a move that would make Spyro his own proud, a fan-made PC port of the original 1998 PlayStation 1 classic has been released—and it’s running at 240 FPS. The project, dubbed OpenPete, is a labor of love from modders who’ve stripped the game of its PS1-era limitations while preserving its charming, dragon-filled magic.
For those who grew up with Spyro, this isn’t just a technical marvel—it’s a nostalgic time machine. The port includes:
✅ Ultra-wide support (for those sweet, sweet 21:9 ratios)
✅ Controller remapping (goodbye, janky default controls)
✅ Save state functionality (no more hunting for memory cards)
✅ Performance modes (240 FPS, 60 FPS, or classic 30 FPS)
The best part? It’s free. No paywall, no DRM—just pure, unfiltered Spyro joy.
If you’ve got an old PS1 game lying around, now’s the perfect time to dust it off and see how far gaming has come.
The 5 Most Underrated PS1 Games You Need to Play (Again)
The PlayStation 1 was a golden age of gaming, but not every gem got its due. SVG compiled a list of the five most underrated PS1 games—games that flew under the radar but deserve a second (or first) look. Here’s our take:
1. Suikoden II (Konami, 1998)
- Why it’s great: A tactical RPG with deep storytelling, political intrigue, and a 200+ character army system.
- Why it’s overlooked: Released late in the PS1’s lifecycle, so it never got the marketing push it deserved.
2. Vagrant Story (Square, 2000)
- Why it’s great: A dark, cinematic action-RPG with Japanese voice acting and laboratory-level weapon crafting.
- Why it’s overlooked: Square’s focus on Final Fantasy overshadowed this masterpiece.
3. Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel (Konami, 2000)
- Why it’s great: A Game Boy Color port of MGS that somehow improves on the original with new missions and stealth mechanics.
- Why it’s overlooked: It’s a handheld spin-off, so console fans dismissed it.
4. Resident Evil 2 (DualShock Ver.) (Capcom, 1998)
- Why it’s great: The PS1 version had exclusive content, including The 4th Survivor mode and DualShock support before it was standard.
- Why it’s overlooked: Most players remember the 2019 remake, not the original.
5. Einhänder (Square, 1997)
- Why it’s great: A bullet-hell shmup with roguelike elements and insane weapon-swapping mechanics.
- Why it’s overlooked: It got lost in the PS1 shooter glut (which included RayStorm and G-Police).
Pro Tip: If you’ve got a PS5 with PS Plus Premium, some of these (like Suikoden II) are already in the catalog.
The 5 Forgotten PS4 Games That Sold Over a Million Copies
The PS4 was a beast—117 million units sold by the time it retired. But some games that shipped over a million copies are barely remembered today. AOL.com dug up the most egregious cases.
Here’s our hit list:
| Game | Copies Sold | Why It’s Forgotten |
|------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Final Fantasy XV | 8.4 million | Launch-day bugs and Nvidia exclusivity |
| The Last Guardian | 2.5 million | Marketing struggles, long dev cycle |
| Until Dawn: Rush of Blood | 1.2M | VR was a novelty, overshadowed by co-op |
| Tearaway Unfolded | 1.1 million | Vita’s spiritual successor flopped |
| Helldivers: Global Overwatch | 1.5M | Buried under multiplayer competition |
Why does this matter? Some of these games were ahead of their time (looking at you, The Last Guardian). Others were victim of poor timing or bad marketing. But if you’re a PS4 owner, they’re worth revisiting.
Kingdom Hearts IV Confirmed for Late 2027—And It’s Getting a Disney+ Anime
Square Enix and Disney just dropped a bombshell at D23 2026: Kingdom Hearts IV is coming in late 2027—and it’s introducing a brand-new world based on Disney’s Coco alongside a Disney+ anime series.
What we know so far:
🔥 New World: Coco World—a vibrant, afterlife-inspired realm.
🔥 Anime Tie-In: A Disney+ series expanding the KH lore.
🔥 Platform: PS5-exclusive (for now, at least).
Why this matters:
- After Kingdom Hearts III’s polarizing ending, this could be the soft reboot the franchise needs.
- The Coco collaboration is a bold move, blending Mexican folklore with Disney magic.
Square Enix fans: Mark your calendars. This is shaping up to be the biggest KH announcement in years.
PlayStation Plus Free Games This Week (And Where to Find Them)
Ps Plus Premium just dropped a fresh batch of classics, and if you’re not subscribed, you’re missing out. Here’s the August 2026 lineup (as highlighted by PlayStation Grenade):
🎮 Games Added to PS+ Premium (August 16, 2026):
- Beyond Good & Evil (PS2 Classic)
- Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (PS2)
- Okage: Shadow King (PS2)
- G-Police (PS1)
Pro Tip: If you’ve got PS Plus Extra, these are instantly playable—no download needed.
The Biggest PlayStation Deals of the Week
IGN just dropped the best gaming deals of the weekend, and if you’re a PlayStation fan, you’ll want to clear your schedule:
| Game/Accessory | Original Price | Discounted Price | Where to Buy |
|--------------------------|--------------------|----------------------|------------------|
| Project Hail Mary 4K Blu-ray | $39.99 | $24.99 | Amazon |
| Resident Evil Requiem (Standard Edition) | $59.99 | $39.99 | Best Buy |
| Civilization VII (Day One) | $69.99 | $49.99 | GameStop |
| AirPods Pro 3 (Gaming Bundle) | $299.99 | $249.99 | Sony Store |
Bonus Deal: Helldivers 2 is now in the PS Plus Game Catalogue—if you’ve got a subscription, it’s free to play.
10 PlayStation Vita Games That Deserve Modern Ports
The PlayStation Vita was ahead of its time—OLED screens, analog triggers, remote play—but Sony abandoned it. Yet, its library is packed with gems that deserve a modern revival. Here are 10 Vita games that need ports yesterday:
Top Picks:
- Persona 4 Golden (If it’s not already on PS5) – The definitive version should exist.
- Gravity Rush – A cel-shaded action masterpiece that never got a sequel worthy of it.
- Tearaway Unfolded – VR-lite perfection.
- Freedom Wars – A post-apocalyptic RPG with deep mechanics.
- Rogue Legacy (Yes, it started here) – The indie darling’s Vita roots are undeniable.
- Spelunky HD – The roguelike king deserves a 4K remaster.
- The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth – The Vita version was janky—imagine it on PS5.
- Hotline Miami 2 – The brutal sequel needs a proper re-release.
- Disgaea 3-5 – The SRPG king needs HD remasters.
- Borderlands 2 – The Vita version was a technical marvel—imagine it running on PS5.
Why hasn’t Sony done this yet? Your guess is as good as ours. But with PS5 backwards compatibility in limbo, these ports would be a huge morale boost for Vita fans.
Final Thoughts: The PlayStation Ecosystem in 2026 is a Love Letter to Nostalgia (And a Warning for the Future)
Sony’s ecosystem is more vibrant than ever, from handheld revivals to PS1 classics thriving on PC. But beneath the excitement, there’s a growing unease—higher prices, digital monopolies, and backlash against exclusives are creating a divisive atmosphere in the PlayStation community.
The good news? Games like Marvel’s Wolverine, Kingdom Hearts IV, and the PlayStation Portal OLED prove Sony still knows how to deliver magic.
The bad news? If Sony keeps pushing digital-only policies and phasing out physical media, we might look back at 2026 as the year PlayStation lost its soul.
What do you think? Are we celebrating progress or warning of a dystopian future for PlayStation? Let us know in the comments.
What’s Your PlayStation Story This Week?
✅ Grabbed the Portal OLED yet?
✅ Pre-ordered Wolverine despite the backlash?
✅ Played Spyro in 240 FPS on PC?
Hit us up on X/Twitter or Discord—we want to hear your PlayStation tales!
ModVC Team
PlayStation. Delivered.